Heifer tops Show Steer sale

By Kirra Bogan
Courtesy The Land

FUTURE hoof and hook champions went under the hammer at the ninth annual Potential Show Steer Sale hosted by Colin Say and Co at the Glen Innes sale yards on Monday.

All 30 sale lots offered sold to a top of $10.40/kg, $0.60 back on last year’s top and averaged $7.23/kg, up $0.45 on 2017.

The sale top on the day saw a new tradition with a heifer presented by David King, Yallembie Murray Greys, Inverell selling for $10.40/kg.

Weighing in at 285kg the Limousin/Murray Grey cross heifer sold to Glen Innes High School for $2964.

Jody Lamph, Glen Innes High School Agriculture teacher liked the overall appeal, carcase and natural balance of the heifer.

“We purchased a heifer from David (King) last year and it hung 3rd on the Hook at EKKA, we know these cattle perform” said Mrs Lamph.

The school has 48 students in their show team and 154 students studying Agriculture between year 8 to 12.

“We’ll take the heifer back to school, the students will break her in and start her preparations for the Junior Heifer Schools comp at Ekka from about 100 days out” added Mrs Lamph.

Vendor, Mr King was pleased to see the school taking on another of his calves.

“This heifer is a full sister to the 2015 Jackpot winner at Ekka” proclaimed Mr King.

“She is sired by a well shown and performed 14 year old Limousin bull, I got from the Kesby’s at Duri” Mr King said.

Wallabadah beef producer, Col McGilchrist did it again in 2018 after being awarded Grand and Reserve Champions for the fourth year only this year his grandkids took all the honours.

“This steers belongs to my grandkids Zoe, Ruby, Fergus, Tex and Abby, it’s a great achievement for them” Mr McGilchrist said.

The Grand Champion, a Limousin Steer sold for $10/kg to David Bartley, Warwick.

The 255 kilogram steer returned $2550 at auction and a $700 cheque from Boehringer Ingleheim Products and Colin Say and Co for taking the top honours.

Judge, Ben Drain, Warwick said it was like “splitting hairs” between the Champion and Reserve.

The Ascott Cattle Company stockman liked the overall thickness, depth to hindquarter and fullness of twist in the Grand Champion steer.

The Reserve Champion, also a Limousin sold to Travis Luscombe, Luscombe Show Steers and Livestock, Toowoomba for $10.20/kg.

The 255 kilogram steer returned $2601 at auction and a $400 cheque from Coolibah Simmentals, Say and Co Rural (CRT) and Mundoo Angus for placing second overall.

Lot 30, winner of the Charolais infused class sponsored by Palgrove Charolais, sold for $9.60/kg to local “Steer and Schooner Club” syndicate at Glen Innes.

Returning $2448 at auction for vendors Dougal McIndoe, Smithson Farm, Glen Innes, the 255kg Charolais cross Limo/Santa steer was described as “well balanced, soft easy doing with enough muscle content to suit”.

Lot 4, winner of the Hereford Infused class sponsored by Lotus Herefords, sold for $8.20/kilogram to McIntyre High School, Inverell.

The McIndoe family also won the Hereford Infused class sponsored by Lotus Herefords, with a 265 kg steer selling for $8.20/kilogram and their 280 kg Charolais/Black Baldy steer won the Angus Infused class sponsored by Dulverton Angus selling for $7.50.

Shad Bailey, Colin Say and Co; Glen Innes High School Ag Teacher, Jody Lamph; Judge, Ben Drain, Warwick; Vendor, David King, Inverell and Nathan Purvis, Colin Say and Co with the top priced sale lot.